Sekona v. Custino, et al.
Filing
222
ORDER signed by District Judge Troy L. Nunley on 6/16/23 REVOKING Plaintiff's in forma pauperis status on appeal. The Clerk is directed to serve this Order on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Case No. 23-15848. (cc: USCA)(Kastilahn, A)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
9
EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
10
11
ETUATE SEKONA,
12
13
14
15
No. 2:16-cv-00517-TLN-DMC
Plaintiff,
v.
ORDER
F. CUSTINO,
Defendant.
16
17
On June 8, 2023, the Ninth Circuit referred the matter to this Court for the limited purpose
18
of determining whether Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis (“IFP”) status should continue on appeal or
19
whether the appeal is frivolous or taken in bad faith. (ECF No. 221 at 1 (citing 28 U.S.C. §
20
1915(a)(3); Hooker v. American Airlines, 302 F.3d 1091, 1092 (9th Cir. 2002)).)
21
“An appeal may not be taken [IFP] if the trial court certifies in writing that it is not taken
22
in good faith.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3). “The test for allowing an appeal [IFP] is easily
23
met . . . [t]he good faith requirement is satisfied if the [appellant] seeks review of any issue that is
24
‘not frivolous.’” Gardner v. Pogue, 558 F.2d 548, 550–51 (9th Cir. 1977) (quoting Coppedge v.
25
U.S., 369 U.S. 438 445 (1962)); see also Hooker, 302 F.3d at 1092 (noting that an appeal is taken
26
in “good faith” if it seeks review of “non-frivolous” issues and holding that if at least one issue or
27
claim is non-frivolous, the appeal must proceed IFP as a whole). An action is frivolous “where it
28
lacks an arguable basis in either law or fact.” Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989). In
1
1
other words, the term “frivolous,” as used in § 1915 and when applied to a complaint, “embraces
2
not only the inarguable legal conclusion, but also the fanciful factual allegation.” Id.
3
On January 5, 2023, the magistrate judge issued findings and recommendations that the
4
action be dismissed for failure to prosecute and failure to comply with the Court’s rules and
5
orders. (ECF No. 209.) Plaintiff filed objections, Defendant filed a response, and Plaintiff filed a
6
reply. (ECF Nos. 210, 212, 213.) This Court reviewed the filings and adopted the findings and
7
recommendations in full and dismissed the action on May 11, 2023. (ECF No. 215.)
8
9
Based on the record before it, the Court cannot conceive of any valid grounds upon which
an appeal can be based. The Court therefore finds that Plaintiff’s appeal taken from its August
10
16, 2022 Order is frivolous and not taken in good faith. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3); Fed. R. App.
11
P. 24(a)(3)(A); Hooker, 302 F.3d at 1092; Neitzke, 490 U.S. at 325. Plaintiff’s IFP status on
12
appeal should therefore be revoked.
13
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
14
1. Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis status on appeal is hereby REVOKED; and
15
2. The Clerk of the Court is directed to serve this Order on the Ninth Circuit Court of
16
17
18
Appeals in Case No. 23-15848.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Date: June 16, 2023
19
20
21
22
Troy L. Nunley
United States District Judge
23
24
25
26
27
28
2
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?